The City of Burlington is asking, once again, for permission to hold events in Waterfront Park year-round in an updated Act 250 permit application.

Burlington presented the updated plans at an Act 250 pre-hearing Tuesday at the District 4 Environmental Commission in Essex Junction.

If approved, the new Waterfront Park permit would nullify earlier restrictions on the number of days the park can be used for events. It would also “make explicit” that the city can hold events at the park outside of a permitted May 27 - September 15 time frame, such as the Special Olympics Penguin Plunge fundraiser and the fireworks for First Night.

“It’s all about restoring the control of what happens in the park to the residents of Burlington,” said Parks and Recreation Director Jesse Bridges.

Burlington had made similar arguments about “local municipal control” in an Act 250 permit amendment application in December 2012. The difference this time around is that the city has also outlined its new plans for improving the infrastructure in Waterfront Park, including changes to the bike path.

A hearing on Burlington’s Act 250 application has been scheduled for March 24 at the Parks and Recreation building on Pine Street, Bridges said.

Peter Keibel, coordinator for District 4 Environmental Commission in Essex Junction, said that 41 people and organizations have been granted party status for the hearing, including two nearby homeowners’ associations. Some of the park’s neighbors have raised noise and traffic concerns about events held there.

Contact April Burbank at (802) 660-1863 or aburbank@burlingtonfreepress.com. Follow her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/AprilBurbank

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